The Best Wood Fillers

Minwax Stainable Wood Filler

Say goodbye to scratches

The best kind of wood filler is one you forget is there in the first place, which is what makes this stainable filler an excellent option.

Best Overall

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If you need a solvent-based solution to your wooden cracks, pores, and divots, Minwax is the name to remember. This affordable adhesive is excellent for DIYers looking to restore old pieces to their former glory or mask the telltale signs of a teething puppy. The Stainable Wood Filler offers a formidable hold that can withstand belt sanders when you’re prepping your surface for staining. While the filler is not a perfect facelift, the solution’s versatile color blends with most wooden surfaces short of deep, dark hardwoods. From small cracks to gaping gashes, this filler by Minwax tackles wood-based worries with ease.

Pros:

• Fast-drying enough to stand on the same day
• You can use it both inside and outside with some ventilation
• Great adhesive for locking screws in place as well

Cons:

• The entire tube can dry out quickly if left open for too long and not fully sealed

Goodfilla Water-Based Wood and Grain Filler

Wooden wonderland

If you have large surface area requirements or detailed crevices, this filler can reach every corner for an even application every time.

Best Stain Selection

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Like-new wooden floors and beautifully-stained cabinets are within your grasp with Goodfilla’s Wood and Grain Filler. Water-based fillers are a great option when you have a large surface to work with indoors. While you can use solvent or putty-based fillers in some situations, the odor and more tedious application can make them less than ideal. In addition to easy application, this filler dries remarkably fast and will only need one coat. No matter your base lumber, Gooodfilla is sure to have the shade you’re seeking with over ten color options to choose from.

Pros:

• No harsh volatile organic compounds included
• Made in the USA
• Withstands freezing and thawing

Cons:

• The solution is prone to some shrinking in warmer temperatures

J-B Weld KwikWood Repair Epoxy

Fills that won't flinch

This compact filler cures in no time and bonds wood with incredible strength and longevity.

Best For Touch-Ups

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Small abrasions and knicks don’t require massive buckets or complex formulas from your home supply store. The KiwiWood Repair Expoxy by J-B Weld is a malleable putty filler that doesn’t stop at surface-level challenges. The benefit of this specific blend is its thickness and ability to mold it with your fingers easily. The actual setting process takes just under half an hour, so if you need to make final touches to your touch-up, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so. While it’s relatively expensive considering the total coverage, this US-based product is reinforced to thoroughly seal any hole no matter the depth, allowing you to restore family treasures or vintage pieces to their former glory without compromise.

Pros:

• No tools or ventilation required
• Highly resistant to pressure and color fade
• One hour to fully cure

Cons:

• Staining may require extra coats versus the surrounding wood

Mohawk Fill Stick

A touching point

If pets or kids do a number on the furniture, this filler's wide array of color options can cure every crack.

Best Variety

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Is your house filled with wooden furniture that varies across species and shades? Mohawk’s Fill Sticks may look like art class markers, but they’re so much more. These wax-based wonders only require a knife and your fingers to apply, but they feel like a professional woodworker’s go-to repair tool. This deluxe package includes some of the most popular wood shades, including walnut, maple, oak, and mahogany, for perfect blending. While you may be able to work this into some crevices, the Fill Stick is recommended for surface-level abrasions and cannot be stained. If you have nicks in cabinets, hardwood floors, or doors that you can’t find the time to fix, Mohawk offers a fast-drying solution that barely leaves a dent in your schedule.

Pros:

• This putty does not require heat activation
• US-based company
• Colors can be blended for ultimate versatility

Cons:

• It does not work well on softwoods

Minwax Wood Putty

Pliable and permanent

This putty covers deeper abrasions with a formidable hold that won't crack with added protection and touch-ups.

Best Putty Filler

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Nail holes don’t stand a chance when Minwax’s Wood Putty makes its way into the shop. This decades-old trusted brand name delivers incredibly straightforward application and permanent hold. The twelve shades of wood, ranging in specificity from colonial maple to golden oak, are incredibly accurate and can easily be combined to match custom finishes. Unlike more free-flowing blends, Minwax’s Wood Putty does not require sanding before or after application. After you have enough putty in the applied area, wait a couple of minutes and scrape off the excess to reveal a clean seal that will be rock solid in under an hour.

Pros:

• It won’t easily stain clothes and washes off well
• Fantastic value for the price

Cons:

• Somewhat short shelf life

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I successfully refinish scratched wooden furniture?

Fortifying furniture against bumps and scratches or undoing the damage from previous encounters is a multi-day process. First, apply wood filler over the gash or hole in question. Once the solution has cured, sand down the filler and surrounding area for an even surface. Once complete, apply even thin coats of wood stain, repeating the process for darker results. Lastly, to ensure a shine that lasts a lifetime, finish your furniture off with a moisture-resistant wood finish for a more vibrant color.

How do I properly fill nail holes with wood filler?

You can easily mask nail holes and other divots with a small helping of wood filler and some patience. If your hole in question is relatively shallow, apply a small dollop above the hole without smoothing it down. The wood filler will dry and shrink, so overapplication is completely acceptable. Once you have let the solution dry for around six hours, the excess filler can be sanded down in preparation for staining.